Horseshoe.



J. E. DOWNS & G. D. MCNAMES. HORSESHOE. APPLICATION FILED FEB.12,1912.

1,050,526. Patented Janil l, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

JOSEPH E. DOWNS AND GEGBGE D. MGNAMES, 0F BATTLE GREEK, MICHIGAN.

HORSESHOE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1d, 1913.

Application filed February 12, 1912. Serial No. 876,932.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Josnrii E. Downs and GEORGE I). MoNAMns, citizens of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements in Horseshoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in horse shoes.

It relates particularly to improvements in heel cushion devices for horse shoes.

The main objects of the invention are to provide an improved cushion heel structure for horse shoes which is adjustable to different sizes of shoes and hoof conditions and which is advantageous for use on animals having diseased feet, such as contracted hoofs, quarter cracks, corns, etc.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail side elevation of a horse hoof having a shoe thereon embodying the features of our invention. Fig. 11. is an inverted view of the same showing our improved shoe in position, no attempt being made to illustrate the frog of the hoof accurately. Fig. 111 is a plan view of the shoe detached, the nails being shown in section. Fig. IV is an enlarged transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line EE-4: of Fig. 111, showing the details of construction.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the hoof of a horse.

The shoe 9. is of the so-called plate type,- that is, it is without calks. The shoe is secured by nails 3, as is the customary practice. Wedge-shaped cushions are disposed upon the shoe with the points forwardly. The cushions are preferably laminated, be-

and

ing formed of bottom layers t of leather and top layers 5 of rubber. A pair of spring plates 6 having inwardly projecting arms 7 are arranged on and supported by these .cushions. The arms 7 terminate in forwardly projecting disk-like portions 8. The arms 7 are joined by vertically disposed rivets 9. The plates 6 are secured to the cushion by rivets 10, the heads of the rivets being countersunk in the cushions so that the cushions can compress without raising the rivets. The cushions are/arranged on the heels of the shoe and extend well forward, the cushions being wedge-shaped and secured by means of the nails 3. In applying the shoe, it is fitted for setting as usual and the cushions are adjusted thereto, and to bring the spring cross member into the desired position and secured by the nails 3 in the customary manner.

By pivoting the plates together they may be adjusted to different sizes of shoes and to different conditions of the hoof. The plates 6 and their integrally formed arms 7 are formed of spring metal as suitable spring sheet metal, and are disposed to engage the frog of the hoof so as to yieldingly support the same and as the horse travels this works or acts upon the frog which is advantageous in such diseases as contracted hoofs. The weight upon the heel is relieved, which allows it to spread more offectivel This relieving of the weight upon the heel is also advantageous for quarter cracks, corns, and the like. The heels being supported by the cushions, are allowed to yield and expand so that our improved shoe is found very advantageous for difierent diseased conditions of the hoofs.

The frog is supported yieldingly as stated, without providing a full hoof pad. Such full hoof pads are objectionable in our pinion in that they are unsanitary and are likely to cause decay and disease. The cushion members being adjustable, can be effectively applied under such varying conditions as are likely to be met with in the shoeing of horses. Another advantage of the construction is, that it is inconspicuous and light in weight.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in a simple embodiment. Con siderable structural variation is possible and desirable results still be attained. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe such variations as we believe the disclosure will enable the adaptation of our invention to l various conditions and. requirements. Having thus described. our invention, n'hat 'WO'Cltlllll as new and desire to secure by Letters Pa tent is: l

1. The combination with a horse shoe, of l wedge-slowed cushions disposed above thel heel thereof, and sheet metal plates disposed t upon and carried by the cushions and pro vided ".vith inwardly projecting; disk pout tions overlap md and pivoted together and disposed to engage the frog, all coacting as pecilied. t

2. The combination with a horse shoe, ct I cushions disposed abore tne heel thereof, arranged on and and spring metal plates carried by said cushion wardly PlOjQCiilDg arms, pivotally connected to permit adjustment beneath the 0g, all coacting for the purs and having in-,

pose specified. l

said arms being" The combination with a horse shoe, 0f cushions disposed above the heel thereof, and an adjustable spring bar extending l e twen and carried by yieldinoly supported thereby, said bar being adjustable to engage the frog whereby the sonic yieldingly supported.

i. The combination with a horse shoe, 01" a heel cushion structure, and sheet metal plates carried thereby and having inwardly said cushions and eted to said cushions and forwardly projecting disk portions pivoted together and disposed to QKLGDCl beneath the frog, there being an open space between the cushions at the rear, whereby the structure is adjustable and the frog; is yieldinpgly supported, as specified.

In a structure of the class describeiil, the combination of a pair of wedge-shaped heel cushions, comprising bottom layers of leather andv top layers 01'. rubber; and sheet n'ictal plates arranged on said cushions and having inwardly projecting arms terminating in disk-like portions overlapped and pivotally connected, said plates being rivand yieldingly supported thereby.

6. Lin a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of heel cushions, and sheet metal plates arranged on and yieldingly supported by said cushions, said plates being secured to said cushions and having inwardly projecting pivotally connected arms.

In witness whereof, we hate hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence oi two I witnesses.

JOSEPH l3 DOl VNS. GEQBGE D. ltLtcNrUilES. [13. s] 'wl "itnesses Zfinonnnon MCKDTSEY, B. D. Frauen.

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